FEDERATION OF NORTHERN CHESTER COUNTY COMMUNITIES
Karen Nocella, Chair
nocellak@aol.com
Lisa Lacroix, Vice Chair
lisadan88@comcast.net
Miriam Newman, Secretary
newman.miriam2@gmail.com
Stan Stubbe, Treasurer
csstubbe@gmail.com
MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF MARCH 10, 2015
Municipal Members:
Charles Jacob, Fred Reisser
Stan Stubbe, Rick Scheler, Jay Kline
Lisa Lacroix
Stock Illoway
Mariea Geho
Sara Shick
Guests:
Karen Marshall
Tom Casey
Seth Hinshaw
Gail Brown
Ann Bedrick
Lila Smith, Ellie McCahon,
Richard Bright
Elaine Husted
Warwick
North Coventry
West Pikeland
East Pikeland
East Coventry
West Vincent
Chester County Planning Commission
3cCoalition
Pottstown
East Coventry
East Nantmeal
West Pikeland
East Vincent
Call to Order: Vice Chair Lisa Lacroix called the meeting to order at 7:02 p.m.
Presentation: Karen Marshall, Heritage Preservation Coordinator for the
Chester County Planning Commission, spoke. History by definition is the place
where you live. We are fortunate to have been guided by the Chester County
Comprehensive Plan. One of its goals is to protect and maintain the wealth of
historical and archeological resources in this area.
As early as 400 A.D., the Romans were already concerned with preservation of
their historic resources. The Georgian era in England placed a high value on the
countryside and architecture, and the interests of a rising middle class promoted
EAST COVENTRY – EAST PIKELAND – NORTH COVENTRY - WARWICK - WEST PIKELAND – WEST VINCENT
this. In 1858, Mt. Vernon became the first historic building in the U.S. to be
preserved. The creation of Yellowstone Park in 1891 was a major
accomplishment, and the first land trust was formed in Massachusetts. Teddy
Roosevelt was a major force behind land preservation. Charleston, S.C.
accomplished the first preservation ordinance. In 1935, the Historic Site and
Buildings Act promoted conservation, but the National Highway Act of 1956
had the opposite effect, often destroying landscapes. This was partially reversed
by the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966. In Pennsylvania, the
Pennsylvania Constitution Article I Section 27 upheld this.
Historical resources are essentially those older than 50 years whose age,
integrity and significance denote their status. Strategies to protect these in
Chester County include a resource atlas project. The goal is to have an atlas in
every municipality. Heritage events are desirable to increase tourism.
Currently, a historical resources atlas project is under way so that a data base
can be maintained. There are Class I, II and III projects. Class I is eligible for
the National Register, Class II is determined significant by the municipality, and
Class III is something 50 years or older. Final products will include a printed
and bound atlas and resource wall map. 38 atlases have been produced by local
volunteer township historical committees with help from the Chester County
Planning Commission at no cost to the townships.
Our area is included in the historically significant Iron and Steel Heritage
Region. It was literally an industry that forged a nation. In no other area of the
country are these resources as highly concentrated as they are here. We have
multiple historic districts representing a wide range of aspects of history and a
wealth of tourism itineraries. Next year will be the 300th Anniversary of the Iron
and Steel Industry.
Another significant event in our region’s history was the American
Revolutionary War Battle of the Clouds. The Philadelphia Campaign of 1777
was paramount in Chester County. The Battle of the Brandywine, Battle of the
Clouds and Paoli Massacre happened in rapid succession, and had it not been for
a storm—possibly a hurricane—interfering with the Battle of the Clouds, it
could have easily matched the others. An atlas of the Battle of the Clouds has
been compiled. More information on this and other historical resources is
available at www.landscapes2/org/psd/histres.cfm
Next year’s focus in Village Walks will be the Underground Railroad in Chester
County.
Review of Minutes of 1/13/15: Page 2 paragraph 8 line 4 should read Karen
Marshall in place of Carol Marshall. Motion to approve minutes as corrected by
Sara Shick, seconded by Stock Illoway. All in favor.
Treasurer’s Report: $2,000 has been transferred from Savings to Checking.
Three checks have been issued since the last report: $52.14 to the Pottstown
Mercury to advertise our reorganization meeting, $60 for Secretarial expenses,
and $43.52 to the Pottstown Mercury to advertise the general meeting
schedule—for a total of $155.66. Savings now total $4,259.66, Checking
$2,033.17, Total $6,292.83. Motion to approve by Charles Jacob, seconded by
Sara Shick. All in favor.
Discussion: Tom Casey from East Goshen Township spoke about using one of
our meetings for disseminating pipeline information. He represents 3cCoalition,
Inc. which provides public information on pipeline issues. Support is provided
by Raiders Law and Environment LLC. Members were asked if they were in
favor of using our group as a venue for a possible fall meeting. Lisa Lacroix
and Tom Casey will remain in touch regarding this possibility. It was
mentioned that the Pipelines Safety Trust can also provide information.
Suggestions were solicited for future programs. Hopewell Big Woods as a
future subject was mentioned and Kelsey Boyd from the Natural Lands Trust
will be approached as a possible speaker. It was suggested that Warwick
Township’s addendum to their Comprehensive Plan might serve as a model for
other municipalities that incorporate Hopewell Big Woods in their area.
A presentation in another couple of months regarding upcoming Iron and Steel
Industry events may be appropriate.
Phoenixville has received a grant to do a smart phone application for historical
sites via GPS accessibility. This is a concept we might want to explore.
Carol DeWolf may speak about the Schuylkill Highlands CLI.
General consensus was that we do not see the need to meet if we do not have a
speaker. It was also suggested May might be a good month to recess since so
many people will be busy with the General Election.
Lisa Lacroix will pursue making an electronic file regarding the Hopewell Big
Woods study available on our web site.
Adjournment: There being no further business, a motion was made by Stock
Illoway, seconded by Sara Shick, to adjourn at 8:41 p.m. All in favor.
Respectfully submitted:
Miriam Newman
Secretary
Next Meeting:
Tuesday, April 14, at 7 p.m.
East Coventry Township Building
855 Ellis Woods Road
Pottstown, Pa 19465